Flexible chain, bracelet, or the like



July 12, 1927. 1,635,269

R. 5. GRANT FLEXIBLE CHAIN, BRACELET, OILTHE LIKE Filed Feb. 25, 1927 Patented July 12, 1927.

UNITED; STATES PATENT oar-ice.

ROBERT S. GRANT, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO R. S. GRANT 00., INC.,

OLE PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND,

A CORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND.

FLEXIBLE GHAIN, BRACELET, OR THE LIKE.

Application filed February This invention relates to flexible chains, bracelets, bands or girdles used as articles of jewelry or adornment.

One object of the invention is to provide a flexible chain, bracelet, band or girdle comprising a series of articulated links or members which are flexibly connected to adapt the bracelet to conform to the wrist of the wearer, or when used as a necklace or girdle to conform to the part of the anatomy on which it is worn.

Another object of the invention is'to provide an article of the type specified which may be constructed with a minimum of simple elements which are easily assembled to provide for economy in the costof manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article of the type specified in which the connecting elements or hinge-members are concealed from view so that the chain, bracelet, band or girdle has a neater and more ornamental appearance.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article of the type specified which may be constructed from block-like elements or links out from strips of celluloid, zylonite or other similar composition material.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article of the type specified which may be produced by simple manufacturing methods without complicated tools, and in whichthe parts may be assembled without especial skill or expertness on the part of the workman.

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the following-specification which describes one embodiment of the invention as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: I

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a continuous band, bracelet or girdle embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged bottom plan view showing a series of the articulated links in the band'or bracelet;

Fig. 3 is a. still further enlarged crosssectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4: is an enlarged perspective view of the connecting element or hinge-member which joins the links in the band or chain; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 2 and illustrating the manner in which the hingeelements are 25, 1927. Serial No. 170,997.

applied to the link members to connect them in articulated relation.

Referring first to Fig. 1 of the drawlngs,

I have preferred to herein illustrate the inventionas embodied in a continuous band or bracelet 2 comprising a series of substantially square or block-shaped elements or links 3 which are connected in articulated relation by means of hinge-members 5 to be later described. It is to .be understood, however, that the links 3 may be of any other shape or contour and in most cases they are ornamented in relief, by engraving on their surfaces, or by brilliants and semi-precious stones set therein.

The link elements 3 are preferably constructed of celluloid, zylonite or other similar pyroxylin composition, and in the block form as shown they may be cut from a strip or sheet of the material which is well known as an article of commerce. As herein shown, the blocks or links 3 are of oblong shape and of less thickness than width. Preferably the blocks 3 are formedwith beveled or chamfered ends so that they are of substantially wedge-shape in profile to adapt them to be assembled in a circular band or linkage with their beveled ends closely abutting to provide a smooth, unbroken surface along the length of the band. That is to say, when shaped as above described the blocks may be assembled with their ends in closely abutting relation so as to conform to a circle without leaving open spaces at the oints.

Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawings, the under side of the blocks 3 are made hollow with a longitudinal groove or recess l extendingfrom end to end. The groove or recess 4 provides means for receiving the connecting links or hinge-members 5 which are constructed of shect metal in the form shown in Fig. 4. These relatively thin connecting links or hinge plates 5 may be stamped from sheet stock and bent up into substantially inverted U-shape in suitable dies. Each hinge-member 5 is first stamped out in a flat form with a narrow main portion 6 having pointed. projections or prongs 7 extending laterally at the ends on its opposite sides. The prongs 7 besides being pointed in shape are beveled oil at 8 on the under side as shown more clearly in Figs. 4 and 5.

In assembling the links or chain-elements 3 in a chain, band or linkage the blocks 3 are laid end for end in closely abutting relation and the connecting links or hingemembers 5 applied thereto in the following manner. A hinge-element 5 bent to the shape shown in Fig. at is inserted in the slot or recess at bridging the joint between each two blocks, see Fig. 2. The arched or benthinge-member 5 is first inserted in the groove or recess 4 with its prongs resting on the bottom thereof in the manner illustrated in Fig. 5. A suitable tool, such as a plunger or hammer, is then brought down on the arched top of the hinge-member to drive its legs or prongs 7 into the material of the blocks or links 3. As the hinge is fiattened into the position shown in Fi 3 its points or prongs 7 will be projected outwardly to pierce into the material of the block or link 3 to anchor it thereto. That is to say, the prongs 7 will be forced into the sides of the recess in the block 3 to securely fasten the link in place bridging the joint between the ends of two blocks and thus bonding the links together in the chain or band. As the prongs 7 pierce into the celluloid or other similar material they form holes which permit a slight pivoting action of the links 3, one with relation to another. That is to say, the prongs 7 provide pintles on which the blocks may pivot to a slight extent so that the links 3 will swing one with relation to another to render the whole bracelet flexible and self-conforming to the wearers wrist or to the other surface to which the band is applied.

It will be observed that my invention provides a particularly simple and neat construction for articles of the type specified such as chains, bracelets, girdles and other linkages. Moreover, the parts of the band or linkage are extremely simple and economical to produce, and the elements may be assembled by a simple operation which requires no complicated tools, or especial skill and expertness on the part of the workman. My improved device may thus be manufactured at relatively low cost so that it may be sold at a very reasonable price. At the same time the complete article has a particularly neat and well finished appearance. The finished bracelet when ornamented or embellished with embossing, en-

graving or set brilliants makes a very at tractive article of adornment. One particular feature of the invention is the concealment of the hinges or connections at the joints between the links which avoids a mechanical appearance in the article.

lVhile I have hereinshown and described only one embodiment of the device and a preferred method of producing it, it is obvious that various modifications may be made in the form and construction of its parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A chain, band, bracelet or linkage com prising a plurality of link-elements constructed 0t celluloid or similar composition and metal hinge-members having portions embedded in the material of the link elements to connect them together.

2. An article of the type specified comprising a. series of block-like link-elements arranged in substantially abutting relation and hinge-members having prongs embedded in the material of the. link-elements to connect them together.

An article of the type specified com-- prising a plurality of link-elements provided with recesses on their under-sides and hinge-members received within the recesses and having prongs embedded in the walls thereof to connect the link members together.

4. In an article of the type specified, the combination of a plurality of block-like linkelements formed with longitudinal grooves on their under sides, and hinge-members seated in said grooves and provided with laterally-extending prongs driven into the sides thereof.

5. An improved method of manufacturing flexible chains, bracelets or linkages consisting in providing a plurality of, linkelements having recesses on their under sides, inserting arch-shaped pronged hinge-members in the recesses extending between the link-elements, and finally flattening said hinge-members to drive-their prongs into the sides of the link-elements.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ROBERT S. GRANT. 

